Valentine’s Day Dining & Events in San Diego

February is quickly approaching and we’ve got love on the brain! Whether you’re looking for a romantic date, a fun night with friends or simply an occasion to treat yourself, these spots are offering special ways to celebrate love.

Photo Credit: Katie Lavieri

Lakehouse Resort - San Marcos

Indulge in a romantic rendezvous this Valentine’s Day at Lakehouse Resort’s main dining outpost, The Grill, where they will be offering a prix fixe three-course Valentine’s Day menu. Begin the evening with a choice of starters including Arugula with beets, goat cheese and charred citrus vinaigrette, or Smoked Salmon Carpaccio with creme fraiche, capers and red onion on a bed of arugula and crostini. Dive into the rich flavors of Risotto Arancini, served with English pea puree, feta cheese and tomato jam. For the main course, savor the delicate Pea Risotto with mushroom ragout and pea tendrils, or enjoy the Seabass accompanied by cauliflower saffron cream sauce, charred cipollini onions and cauliflower florets. Heartier options include the Short Rib with creamy polenta, charred broccolini and Bordelaise or the Airline Chicken paired with sweet potato puree, farro, root vegetables, arugula fennel salad and Chicken Demi. End the night on a sweet note with the Chef’s Selection of Dessert, and let The Grill be the backdrop to a romantic celebration of love. This experience is available for $75 per person, and reservations are available via OpenTable. If you don’t want the night to end, stay the night and book one of the three Valentine’s Day packages available here for a truly memorable Valentine’s Day. 

Photo Credit: Kimberly Motos

Herb & Sea - Encinitas

Spend Valentine’s Day tucked inside Encinitas’s favorite neighborhood restaurant, Herb & Sea. Lovers of fresh ingredients, bright flavors and top notch seafood will be delighted by Executive Chef Aidan Owens’ Valentine’s Day menu. The four-course meal begins with cold starter options like Blue Devil Oyster with togarashi oil, caviar and chive, Kanpachi Crudo or Kale Salad, followed by hot starter choices like Brûleed Triple Cream with figs, sunflower and paprika, Pork Belly with apple mustard or Grilled Prawn. Entree choices include Filet with onion jus and frites, Salmon with butter caviar sauce, Lobster Gnocchi with basil cream and black garlic dust or Black Truffle Mushroom Risotto. Desserts from Executive Pastry Chef Laura Warren end the meal on a sweet note, choose from Chocolate Lava Cake with chocolate sauce, raspberry, and espresso ice cream or Winter Citrus Tart. Herb & Sea’s Valentine’s Day dinner is priced at $119 per adult with an option to add on a wine pairing for $65. Dinner will be served from 5pm to 9pm; secure a coveted reservation via OpenTable. 

Photo Credit: Mandie Geller

Puesto - Multiple Locations

Enjoy a fun night out celebrating Valentine’s Day or get a group together for Galentine’s Day at Puesto for a delicious Mexican meal with craft cocktails. In celebration of the romantic holiday, Puesto has transformed its tortillas into a beautiful red using only vegetable juice for color. Puesto offers taco favorites such as Short Rib Quesabirriawith crispy melted cheese, Jalisco salsa, pickled radish and classic guacamole; Baja Fish with Puesto beer-battered local fish, shredded cabbage, classic guacamole, crema, Morita salsa; Pozole with crispy melted cheese, braised Salmon Creek Farms pork, avocado, cabbage, radish, cilantro, crunchy hominy. While enjoying the tacos imbibe on expertly crafted cocktail such as the Serrano Margarita with ElVelo Blanco tequila, fresh lime, serrano, yuzu; Pink Lemon Drop with Grey Goose vodka, pomegranate, fresh lemon; or get the party started with Puesto’s fun shooters like the Pineapple Pickleback served as a shot of Pueblo Viejo blanco tequila served alongside pickled pineapple & poblano brine and the Carajillo Shooter a layered shot with chilled Pueblo Viejo blanco tequila, espresso liqueur, & Licor 43. To end the night indulge in Puesto’s handmade desserts like the Candy Bar Sunday with organic vanilla ice cream, mazapán, choco crunch, salted caramel sauce or Fresas Con Crema with meringue, mascarpone, fresh strawberry, caramelized pistachios.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Belmont Park

Cannonball - Mission Beach

Experience a culinary love affair this Valentine’s Day at Cannonball, San Diego’s largest oceanfront rooftop with panoramic views of the Pacific. Indulge in a carefully crafted Valentine’s Day menu available starting at 4pm while enjoying the romantic atmosphere with the soothing sounds of the ocean waves. Menu highlights include the Miso Crusted Sea Bass with miso glaze and sesame crust served alongside a smoked cauliflower puree, charred carrots and baby bok choy salad and the Grilled Whole Lobster with ponzu butter, served with a traditional Japanese pickled vegetable salad, charred green onions and sambal butter. As a sweet finale to a romantic evening, every table will be treated with a complimentary White Chocolate Lava Cake with red ganache and topped with a rose petal. Also available are specially crafted Valentine’s Day-inspired his and hers cocktails to complement the flavors of the evening. Reservations are available via OpenTable. 

Photo Credit: Bailey Films Photos

Herb & Wood - Little Italy

Enjoy a romantic and vibrant Valentine’s Day dinner within the warm glow of Herb & Wood in the heart of Little Italy. Special for the holiday, Executive Chef Carlos Anthony has thoughtfully curated a four course meal, beginning with choice of cold starters like Beef Tartare with mustard seed, calabrian chili, quail egg and black garlic aioli or Beets & Strawberry with preserved lemon vinaigrette, hot starters like Lamb Lollipops with tzatziki and curry leaves or Scallops with harissa butter sauce and green olives. Then select from entrees like Filet, Squid Ink Bucatini, Braised Short Rib or Mushroom Risotto. The meal concludes with dessert options from Executive Pastry Chef Laura Warren; select either Chocolate Lava Cake with chocolate sauce, raspberry, and espresso ice cream or Winter Citrus Tart. Served from 5pm to 9pm, the special dinner is priced at $125 per adult with an option to add on a wine pairing for $68. Reservations for Herb & Wood’s Valentine’s Day dinner are a hot commodity; reserve your table via OpenTable.

Photo Credit: Kimberly Motos

Pali Wine Co. - Little Italy

Celebrate romance at Pali Wine Co. from Tuesday, February 13 through Thursday, February 15 with special Valentine’s Day wine flights and pairings! Special flights will feature five of Pali Wine Co.’s exquisite wines, highlighting flirty natural wines and the romance of blush and sparkling wines. Enjoy the wine flight alongside choice of a pairing like fresh local oysters, curated cheese or decadent chocolate covered strawberries, priced at $50 per person, reservations available via Tock. Round out a meal with bites from Pali’s kitchen like Charred Broccolini Caesar, Bluefin Tartare, Persimmon Caprese, and more. Celebrate friendship and self love on Tuesday, February 13 at 6:30pm; bring some friends and join Pali Wine Co. for Galentine’s Day Vision Boards & Wine, hosted in collaboration with Yoga Jawn! Reservations, booked via Eventbrite, include all the supplies for vision boards, a glass of Pali Wine Co. wine, a souvenir wine glass to take home and 20% off any all bottles to take home. 

Photo Credit: James Tran

Animae - Downtown

Spend a swanky Valentine’s Day evening basking in the glow of a candle-lit table, surrounded by floor to ceiling velvet in Animae’s chic dining room. Helmed by Executive Chef Tara Monsod, Animae is serving a four-course Valentine’s Day dinner, bursting with flavors from across Asia. The evening begins with bread service of Mantou with garlic chive, sour cream butter and sweet soy, followed by first course options like Beet Salad with yuzu kosho vinaigrette, Jumbo Shrimp with tom yum cocktail sauce or Chicken Liver Mousse with figs, vietnamese baguette and opal basil. Second course selections include Taiwanese Fried Chicken, an Animae staff favorite adorned with hot honey and mala spice, Steamed Gyoza or Roasted Oysters with chili bone marrow butter and lemon. End the savory portion of the meal with a choice of Filet with adobo au poivre, Halibut with spicy broth, Rice Cakes or Lemongrass Chicken. Complete the experience with Calamansi Mousse with coconut cake, calamansi and prosecco gelee or Chocolate Cremeux with miso sesame foam, chocolate crumble and chili cashews, each crafted by Executive Pastry Chef Laura Warren. Animae will serve Valentine’s Day dinner from 5pm to 9:30pm, priced at $155 per adult, with an optional $85 wine pairing. Make a reservation via OpenTable. 

Photo Credit: Diana Rose Photo

Garibaldi - Downtown

With sweeping views of the bay as your backdrop, celebrate amore at Garibaldi, the Italian-isle inspired restaurant located on the third floor of the InterContinental San Diego. On Valentine’s Day, Garibaldi will be open with a special four course menu, priced at $105 per person, centered around sustainable seafood and the romance of Sardinia and Sicily. The meal begins with ‘un morso,’ a Fresh Shucked Oyster with crème fraiche, dill oil and bottarga accompanied by an aperitivo shot of rare Sardinian Mirto Verde. Next, choose from starters like Culurgione Gigante, a hand folded dumpling stuffed with Dungeness crab and ricotta, Spicy Tuna Tartare with Calabrian chili, or share the Antipasti platter with your date. Main course options include EVOO Poached Halibut with squid ink risotto, Grilled NY Steak Tagliata with taleggio polenta or Sardinian Paella for Two. The meal ends on a sweet note with the playful Oops, I Dropped the Cannoli with sweet ricotta pistachio cream, orange zest, saffron crème anglaise and an assortment of macaron. Diners will stay cozy on the terrace with complimentary luxe parkas, blankets and heaters while taking in the sunset or the starry night sky. Make a reservation for Valentine’s Day at Garibaldi via Resy; seatings begin at 4:30pm.

Photo Credit: Haley Hill

California English - Sorrento Valley

Spend a romantic evening at California English with a specially curated menu from celebrity Chef Richard Blais. Start your meal with Kushi Oysters with Champagne Mignonette and cocktail sauce; Avo Toast Carne Crudo made with carne cudo asada, chili mango yolk; or Lobster Bisque made with poached lobster tail, brandied cream and served with a cheddar scone. For the main course, enjoy a 6oz Filet and Lobster Tail served with Celery Root Gratin, Yorkshire Pudding and Horseradish; Roasted Chilean Sea Bass served with coconut crab rice, stir-fried broccolini or the Truffle Chicken Pie with Périgord Black Truffle Sauce and root vegetables. Guests can make the night extra special by adding lobster or caviar to any main dish. Indulge in desserts as sweet as your love with the Sticky Toffee & Date Cake with Salted Caramel Ice Cream or a classic Chocolate Sundae with Chocolate Brownie, Brandied Cherry Marshmallow and Vanilla Ice Cream. Reservations can be made on OpenTable or by calling the restaurant directly.